Ancient pyramid in Mexico collapses after storm

2024-08-13 10:30:00, Blog CNA

Flooding from heavy rain near Lake Pátzcuaro has caused the collapse of an ancient pyramid in Mexico, just days after the iconic "Double Arch" in Utah's Glen Canyon National Recreation Area collapsed into Lake Powell.

Both are "victims" of an increasingly wild global climate, which some say may also be an indication of impending trouble.

The structure, located in the Ihuatzio Archaeological Zone in Michoacán, had recently been damaged by temperatures, causing cracks that allowed water into its interior. On the night of July 29, it was covered in a heavy downpour, causing the central part of its southern facade to collapse, according to Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

Very quickly, the agency's experts learned the problem.

"Beginning in the early hours of July 30, personnel moved to the heritage site to assess the damage caused," INAH said in a statement.

They confirmed damage to at least six stepped sections of the southern base of the pre-Hispanic monument, both to the exterior walls and to the core and interior walls.

Ancient pyramid in Mexico collapses after storm

At its peak, Ihuatzio covered approximately 150 hectares and housed at least 84 structures, seven of which are currently on display in the archaeological park. The settlement was first occupied in 900 AD by Nahuatl-speaking groups, but its glory days were between 1200 and 1521 AD when it served as the first seat of the Purépecha empire.

This civilization was a contemporary and major rival of the mighty Aztec Empire. Many battles were fought between the two Mesoamerican superpowers, but the Purépechas remained one of the only indigenous groups in the region that the Aztecs failed to conquer.

The pyramidal structures at Ihuatzio were sacred spaces, most likely used for spiritual rituals and ceremonies. They also held a political role, acting as a powerful symbol of the culture's power and authority.

The Purépecha people still live in parts of Michoacán state in western Mexico and have commented on how their historical traditions may have seen the structure's collapse as a sign of impending doom.

Tariakuiri Alvarez, who referred to the pyramid builders as ancestors in a Facebook post, described how this would have been considered a bad omen, indicating "that an event is approaching".

"Before the arrival of the invaders, according to historical accounts, something similar happened to the Purhé, Purépecha worldview of that time, because the gods Nana Kuerhaépiri and K'eri Kurikweri were displeased," the translated post said./ Adapted by CNA